By DOUG DONNELLY

OTTAWA LAKE – The next step on the playoff ladder has the No. 1 ranked Whiteford Bobcats taking on Riverview Gabriel Richard in what will be the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

“We are 1-0 now. The goal is to be 2-0,” said Whiteford head coach Todd Thieken.

Whiteford will host the Division 8 District final at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Bobcats earned the right to move into the second round with a 64-22 win over Addison. Richard beat Melvindale Academy for Business Tech 62-14.

First-year Pirate head coach Donte Allen said his squad is growing up and getting better as the season goes.

“Whiteford runs the ball very well and are very disciplined,” Allen said. “We have to read our keys and react to what they are doing.

“I just told my guys it’s time to seize the moment. We are young but after four or five games they have really improved because of game experience. We don’t have a junior varsity or freshman team, so they are out there playing every week.”

Quarterback Nick Wisniewski has steadily improved as the Pirate signal-caller. He has 10 touchdown passes and has rushed for seven touchdowns.

“He has really become a leader for us the past four or five games,” Allen said. “We run some spread and some two-back offense. We like to mix it up. We are pretty diverse. We are excited about the opportunity to play Whiteford. It’s all about seizing the moment for us.”

Richard (7-3) has just six seniors on its squad. Nic DiSanto (6-5, 315) is a two-way lineman who has offers from Wayne State University and Eastern Illinois University. Joey Calhoun is their top running back with more than 600 yards. Aramis Lackey has more than 500 yards rushing and has scored eight touchdowns. Tyler Morehouse is a deep threat at wide receiver. He has scored five touchdowns this season.

Allen said he thinks the game will be won in the trenches.

“The defensive line and offensive line will be the key to this game,” he said.

The Whiteford-Richard winner will play the winner of Reading vs. White Pigeon on the Regional final. If Whiteford wins, the Bobcats will host the game.

Here are the pre-game rosters, stats and notes: